DEMOCRATS DELIVERED HELP — THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

The last two years have made clear how important it is for every family in North Carolina to have access to quality, affordable health care.  We have struggled with a brutal pandemic which has taken the lives of too many friends, neighbors, and family members.

Thanks to President Biden's American Rescue Plan and the Democratic members of Congress who supported it, we have glimpsed what health care could be like if our country -- and North Carolina in particular -- really committed to assuring that every individual and every family have access to the health care they need, regardless of age, race, or income level.

 The America Rescue Plan (ARP), the federal legislation proposed by President Biden and enacted by Democrats in Congress -- has made healthcare more available and more affordable for all Americans in 2021-2022.

COVID vaccines are available for free at our local drugstores.  100% of the costs related to COVID testing and treatment for all of us are covered by the Federal Government.

Increased subsidies for health insurance purchased through the affordable care act (ACA) made buying health care affordable for workers at the bottom of the income scale whose employers didn't provide health insurance.  And for folks who lost their job and health insurance in the pandemic, the cost of COBRA replacement insurance was also subsidized.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/american-rescue-plan/

These benefits meant that North Carolina families not only received better health care, but they were able to keep more money in their pockets with an average savings of $67 per month per person or $800 per year, money for groceries, childcare or other essentials.

These benefits have been particularly important in North Carolina since we have a higher percentage of people without health care than other states in the country.

Unfortunately, not a single Republican in the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives was willing to vote in favor of this legislation -- including our own Senators Burr and Tillis and every one of our Republican Representatives: Ted Budd, Madison Cawthorn, Dan Bishop, Virginia Foxx, Richard Hudson, Patrick McHenry, Greg Murphy, David Rouzer.

And they have not been willing to vote in favor of legislation proposed by President Biden and passed in the House of Representatives that would make these benefits -- or other life-saving benefits like the Child Care Tax Credit -- a permanent part of our social safety net. 

Healthy lives for all is a goal within our reach. This year let's elect US Senators and Representatives who will put our well-being as Americans first.